- Carnival Festivale floated for the first time at Meyer Werft
- Delivery is scheduled for 2027
- Maiden season starts in Port Canaveral in May 2027
- Carnival Tropicale enters service from Galveston in April 2028
- Both ships are final Excel-class vessels
Carnival Cruise Line’s new Excel-class ship Carnival Festivale has floated for the first time at Meyer Werft. The ship touched the water in late September after its building dock was flooded. The operation allowed the new ship to move inside Meyer Werft’s building hall, creating space for the construction of another vessel.
Meyer Werft noted that its enclosed building dock in Papenburg allows two large ships to be built at the same time. With delivery scheduled for 2027, Carnival Festivale kicks off its maiden season in Port Canaveral in May 2027. The 5,200-passenger ship joins its sister ship Mardi Gras at the homeport and offers weeklong cruises to the Caribbean.
The 6-night to 8-night itineraries sail to destinations in the region and include visits to Carnival’s private destination of Celebration Key in Grand Bahama. Meyer Werft began construction for Carnival Tropicale in early September with a Texas-themed steel-cutting ceremony. Carnival Tropicale is scheduled to enter service from Galveston in April 2028, offering weeklong cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale are the final ships in Carnival’s Excel series, which started with Mardi Gras in 2021. The LNG-powered vessels introduce an updated design with Sunsation Point, a family adventure zone that houses the company’s largest waterpark. Carnival Waterworks Ultra features 6 water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels, in addition to splash pads and shaded play areas. The ships include themed areas with music-related spaces on Carnival Festivale and lounges inspired by the golden age of show business on Carnival Tropicale.
